title: Two team synchronous esophagectomy.
abstract: A modification of the Lewis esophagectomy for carcinoma of the intrathoracic esophagus is described herein. With the patient in the semilateral position, two surgical teams operate simultaneously. The abdominal team mobilizes the stomach while the thoracic team removes the esophagus. Esophagogastric anastomosis is performed by stapling at the apex of the thorax. The procedure was performed upon 50 patients. There were two anastomotic leaks and one death occurred in the hospital. The two team synchronous approach avoids changes in the position of the patient, shortens operating time and may contribute to lower morbidity rates for patients undergoing esophagectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Crofts
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture